INDIAN LAND – A prototype Walmart store is almost ready to open in Indian Land.

Shoppers are getting ready for the new store, located off U.S. 521 just before the state line, to open its doors on Aug. 18. Store manager John Clevenger said Walmart will begin moving into the 180,000-square-foot building on July 12, stocking shelves and readying for the grand opening.

This will be one of Walmart’s new prototype stores, which will feature a new logo, a more natural outdoor color and a revamped in-store design.

INDIAN LAND – Frank and Judy Taillon retired just a few years ago to their dream home at Clearwater Beach, Fla., to start a new life of leisure. But what seemed to be a dream come true soon developed into a change of plans.

It started with a move to Indian Land to be closer to their best friends – Judy’s sister, Felicia, and her husband, Dana – and their new dream of starting a business together.

Breaking open the small plastic package, Kirsten Blackmon grabs the rubber bracelets inside and clips them to her belt.

Blackmon, 11, has been on the hunt for the bracelets for months, checking out jewelry and specialty stores along with her 7-year-old sisters Alexa and Alysa. The fifth-grader found her latest additions at Maple Street Monograms in Lancaster, adding to her collection of more than 40 bracelets.

Construction continues on Lancaster County’s first ALDI grocery store, which is set to open shortly after the new year.

In late 2008, news began to spread that the grocery chain was looking to locate in Lancaster. Since that time, site work at Old Charlotte Road and North Park Drive has begun and a structure has been erected – all in preparation for the Jan. 15 open date.

Crews are on the scene daily landscaping the property and building at the store.

With the availability of low interest rates and federal tax credits, now is the time to buy a new home.

That was the advice from Pat Riley, president and COO of Allen Tate Co., who spoke to about 100 people at the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon March 23 at the Lancaster Golf Club.

Riley discussed national, regional and local housing market trends, as well as the future outlook for Lancaster and surrounding counties.